KPMG is on the hunt for eco-startups tackling nature and biodiversity issues, offering a $100,000 prize

Consultancy giant KPMG Australia is offering a $100,000 prize to a startup working on tech solutions to address nature and biodiversity-related problems as part of a new program.

The KPMG Nature Positive Challenge is designed to encourage and support the growth of the nation’s most innovative startups and impact ventures in the eco space. The program will choose and support four high-potential impact ventures working in areas such as reforestation, regeneration, conservation, carbon removal, disaster resilience, resource circularity and bioproducts to help them develop their capabilities.

A pool of tailored support valued at $200,000 is available to help scale their businesses and the startup with the most potential to scale and have a significant impact on nature, will also receive the $100,000 KPMG Nature Positive Prize.

KPMG Australia CEO Andrew Yates said the inaugural Nature Positive Challenge will also connect ventures to beneficial industry, business, science, knowledge and community partners, and impact investors.

“This Challenge represents the start of a significant long-term investment by the firm to support positive environmental outcomes based on regeneration, resilience and resource circularity,” he said.

“It is my hope our actions encourage more eco-startups to flourish.”

The KPMG Nature Positive Challenge will run from May to August, with the $100,000 prize awarded in June. All four ventures will feature at a Nature Positive Showcase event in August.

KPMG Natural Capital & Biodiversity Global Lead Carolin Leeshaa, who is one of the Challenge judges, said the economy, and people’s livelihoods and well-being all depend on nature.

“If we take time to get the question right, the imperative is very clear: we need to grow within the limits of the earth’s biosphere and catalyse the systemic shift required to grow in harmony with nature,” she said.

“The KPMG Nature Positive Challenge creates a platform for collaborative action to embrace nature as an opportunity, transform ideas into impact, and accelerate transformative business models, technologies, data and innovative approaches that protect and restore nature whilst also generating broader economic, social and cultural benefits.”

More on the challenge is available at kpmg.com/au/naturepositive